Metra UP-N Train Service Disrupted Following Crash; Expect Major Delays
Train Services Disrupted After Collision in Wilmette Metra’s Union Pacific North line experienced service disruptions Thursday afternoon when a train collided with a flatbed trailer loaded with milling equipment in a northern suburb. Officials have cautioned that “extensive” delays are anticipated.
Train Services Disrupted After Collision in Wilmette
Metra’s Union Pacific North line experienced service disruptions Thursday afternoon when a train collided with a flatbed trailer loaded with milling equipment in a northern suburb. Officials have cautioned that “extensive” delays are anticipated.
Incident Details
The incident occurred around 2:46 p.m. when UP-N train #337, which was set to arrive in Kenosha at 3:45 p.m., hit the flatbed at the intersection of Green Bay Road and Linden Avenue, close to the Wilmette station, as per authorities.
Service Suspension
Following the crash, all inbound and outbound trains in the vicinity were temporarily halted, as stated by Metra. The company advised passengers to seek alternative transportation during this period.
Injuries Reported
Two passengers on the train reported minor injuries and were taken to a nearby hospital for treatment, according to officials. A passenger in a car near the front of the train, Ben Pogvara, described feeling a “hard brake” followed by a “hard jolt” upon impact.
Passenger Experiences
The train’s engineer was also a concern for Pogvara, who noted that the front of the train sustained visible damage. Another passenger, Andrew Amundson, recounted the moment of the crash, stating he was working on his laptop when a sudden jolt caused the train to stop abruptly. He looked outside to see the trailer on the ground.
Aftermath of the Collision
Aerial footage from NBC displayed the scene post-collision, with emergency responders and investigators present around the train. The flatbed trailer was identified as carrying a sizable generator, which was badly damaged in the incident.
Further Investigations
Metra’s website indicated that at least two trains, UP-N #396 set to leave Ogilvie Transportation Center and another scheduled from Winnetka at 4:15 p.m., were canceled due to the accident. Authorities are still investigating the incident, and the precise cause remains unknown.